The best in the business were frocked up and ready to party at 2012 New Zealand Television Awards.

TV2 hit Go Girls took out the award for Best Drama Series. Each season the show, which stars Anna Hutchinson and Jay Ryan, follows a year in the life of a group of friends living in Auckland's North Shore.

It was one of more than 40 awards handed out at Auckland's Langham Hotel last night, where the stars were forced to dodge some wet Auckland weather in order to hit the red carpet.

Siege, the true story of Jan Molenaar, the gunman who held Napier hostage in 2009, won five awards including the new category Best One-Off Drama. Mark Mitchinson took out the Best Actor Award for his role in the programme, while Miriama Smith was named Best Supporting Actress.

The Best Actress Award went to Sara Wiseman for her portrayal of Kate Sheppard in What Really Happened - Votes for Women.

Wiseman, who has starred in Mercy Peak and The Cult, was previously named Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film Matariki.

Coverage of the Vodafone NZ Music Awards 2011 won top honours in two categories, including Best Entertainment or Event Programme, and Best Comedy Series went to TV3's Hounds, despite the fact it has not been renewed for a second series.

In the hotly contested battle of the networks, TV3's 3 News was named Best Scheduled News Programme, while Maori TV's Julian Wilcox was named Best News or Current Affairs Presenter for his work on Political All In.

Best Current Affairs Series went to 60 Minutes.

More than 478 entries were made across 46 categories for this year's awards, which were decided by 112 judges.

"This may have been the most difficult year ever for the judges. So many categories had such strong entrants it was extremely difficult to choose a winner. Each and every winner and finalist was most deserving of the accolades they have received," said award organiser Rick Friesen.

This is the first year the television awards are being held separately from the film awards.